| HANDS OFF IRAN AND SYRIA - NO NEW WARS PROTEST RALLY: SATURDAY 28 JANUARY, 2-4PM OUTSIDE THE US EMBASSY 24 GROSVENOR SQUARE, W1A 1LQ Simon Jenkins writes in Wednesday's Guardian that 'Imposing sanctions at Washington's behest is an idiocy, and likely to do little other than escalate the steps to open conflict'. (See http://bit.ly/zk2kVc) The new year opened with further threats against Iran. More sanctions from Washington and a blacklist of anyone who does business with the country are an escalation of the Western confrontation with the country. Israel is talking more and more of an attack on Iran to 'deal with' its nuclear capability (even though Israel is the only country in the Middle East which actually possesses nuclear weapons). In an election year for the US, tensions around this issue are almost certain to grow. Already, Iran has responded by testing missiles in the Gulf and there has even been talk of closing the Straits of Hormuz to oil exports. Following a year when Britain and France led the intervention in Libya the dangers of further western attacks in the region are very real. Under the guise of 'humanitarian intervention' in recent weeks there have been threats to Syria and Iran. There are many signs of covert intervention in both countries. Stop the War has called a protest outside the US embassy in Grosvenor Square on Saturday 28th January from 2-4pm. We are asking all our supporters in London and the South East to mobilise for it. Any attacks on Iran or Syria will almost certainly herald a much bigger war in the Middle East than anything seen so far. We must build an opposition to these threats now. As Jenkins goes on to say, 'Economic sanctions are coward's diplomacy. They purport to high moral stance but are merely a low-risk way of bullying the world. The danger is that they encourage militarist lobbies to escalate the steps that lead to open conflict.' We know that there are plenty of militarist lobbies and politicians willing to back them. We would like all our supporters to campaign against this threat. There are petitions on the website that can be downloaded (see http://bit.ly/x9nxvP) and local groups will be holding meetings on the topic to build a national campaign. ************ TROOPS OUT OF AFGHANISTAN - PROTEST AT 400th UK DEATH A big effort was made over the new year to present the situation in Afghanistan in a favorable light. The reality on the ground is suggested by the death of five British soldiers in less than a month, taking the total to 395. The fact is last year the Taliban proved their resilience and their military capacity with a series of assassinations, bombings and raids in northern cities which had been virtual no-go areas for them. Unsurprisingly, the occupation is increasing levels of violence in the country. In December there were two attacks by Afghan soldiers on foreign troops making a mockery of plans for an imminent 'security handover'. The Western response to what is in reality a worsening security situation has been to accept the need for talks with the Taliban against President Karzai's wishes but also to plan for troops to be kept in Afghanistan permanently. General Allen has publicly called for troops to stay indefinitely despite President Obama’s pledge to withdraw them by 2014. Tens of thousands of people have been massacred during the occupation, and there are many people without food. Most surveys show life has got worse for the majority in the last decade. As Afghan activist and ex MP Malalai Joya said on her 2011 tour, the US and NATO use women's rights and human rights as an excuse for occupation, "yet they blindly bombard my people from the sky". There is no democracy, she said: "It is the same donkey with a different saddle. It doesn't matter who votes, it only matters who's counting". Stop the War is asking its supporters to prepare for a national day of protest when the 400th British soldier death is announced, calling for all the troops to be brought home. Please send any local details for posting on the website. ************ STOP THE WAR NATIONAL CONFERENCE NATIONAL CONFERENCE SATURDAY 3RD MARCH ULU, MALET ST, WC1E 7HY We are holding our Annual General Meeting on March 3rd at the University of London Union in Malet Street. The conference will be a chance to discuss and analyse the West's interventions in Central Asia and the Middle East and to debate and decide our policies, strategy and campaigns for the coming year. It will be addressed by MPs activists and experts. As well as delegates from affiliated groups, the conference is open to all members of Stop the War before January 1st 2012. Members who have joined since can attend as observers. To book a place for yourself or a delegation e-mail office@stopwar.org.uk or phone 0207 801 2768. ************ |